Did I mention it was my 50th Birthday networking lunch?

September 5, 2013

“The two most important requirements for major success are: 1. Being in the right place at the right time and 2. Doing something about it” – Ray Kroc – McDonalds – who opened their 1st vegetarian restaurant in India on 4/9/12

A fantastic first for me – my first 50th and the first birthday with so many people – thank you. And the best part numerous conversations and connections leading to collaborations and business being done! Held at Exeter Golf and Country Club – venue for the 1st ever Business Network event in 1993.

I wasn’t sure if I had mentioned it was my birthday but the Twitter activity said otherwise!!

And this small badge that my daughter Megan gave me really made sure people knew!

Megan presenting me with my badge! Photo by Malcolm Rouse Photography

Thank you for all the wonderful cards, presents and messages – I really appreciate your generosity and thoughts. I now have numerous bottles of wine, some huge cakes, a gold bar and a Video profile to work through! More on these in a future post!

A selection of the cards I received today from Glen King and Laura Jones – Glen King PR & Mktg, Alex and Angi Wren – Bitpod Ltd, Mark Leveridge, Alison Jobson – Straight Marketing, Rosemary Pell – Road User Support Service, Spencer Hodgetts, Many and Ann – Casino Select, Sarah Podro – The Castle at Taunton. Presents too many to put on display! Photo taken at The Castle -Taunton.

A big thank you to Bev Holloway for a great, interactive seminar on remote/home working – full of top tips and insights – if you want to know more about the way conviviality and capability interact, the way in which an exercise with flip chart exchange servers demonstrates a point and the know how on the equipment, planning, legal and skill/traits for home working – get in contact with Bev!

I must talk about the 10 minute speaker – Michelle Thomas – Exeter Racecourse and Conference Centre – who talked about the fabulous facilities that are available for business events – even a Cabinet meeting complete with a Prime Minister and ministers can be arranged – and in fact has been!

Michelle also delighted the attendees with a race

The Sean Humby 50th Birthday Handicap Derby “aged pacers”

The runners

1 Getting on a bit Upham Atom (Pink)

2 #Ageisjustanumber Sea Saffron(Blue/Green)

3 Don’t Stop Me Now (I’ll get there eventually) Global Power (Yellow)

4 Doesn’t Look A Day Over 49 ¾ Reblis (Light Blue/Yellow)

5 Hip Replacement Mobaasher (White)

6 Saga Here We Come Jaunty Journey (Navy/Grey Stars)

7 40 wasn’t so Bad After All Double Dizzy (Light Blue/Purple Star)

8 Life Begins at 50 Double Dizzy (Light Blue/Blue Triangle)

Full results and Exeter Racecourse Race day tickets for all the winners!

“Fran very kindly made a donation to Families for Children following a request I made at a recent lunch. Her donation enabled us to complete a project that was long overdue and has already resulted in making visits to our office a much more enjoyable experience for the young people we work with. As one young man said “wow this place is sick” – which I hope means he liked it!! Thank you Fran and sorry I’m not there to hand you your certificate in person.”

for all the support for Ally Colton and all at Families for Children

Fran Long – Plug and Play receiving her certificate – the champagne has disappeared out of picture. Picture taken by Malcolm Rouse Photography

The Devon Air Ambulance Trust is the charity which raises the funds to keep 2 emergency Air Ambulances flying. This is no small feat as each and every year we have to raise in the region of £4.5 million to keep both of the helicopters airborne. Click here to donate Help celebrate their 21st Birthday!

Families for Children place children for adoption from throughout the UK, who have experienced loss and upheaval. We find for them stable, loving families in Devon, Dorset, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
We are special because we have a ‘forever’ policy of support and this means that we offer support to the child and new family for as long as they need us. Click here to donate

WESC Foundation’s aim is the education and care of young people with visual impairment and/or complex needs and their transition into school, college and beyond. By providing a specialist centre for education, training and expertise, WESC Foundation create a better life for people with visual impairment. Click here to donate

The vision of St Loye’s Foundation is that each individual should have the opportunity to achieve their maximum potential, irrespective of natural abilities or setbacks experienced in life.
Mission – St Loye’s mission is to be the preferred choice of people with physical, mental health, sensory and other disabilities, or with long-term health conditions, to improve their quality of life and degree of independence. Click here to donate